Hope cagers complete six-game sweep

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School overwhelmed Uno High School, 96-39, to complete its domination of the elims in the 42nd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association Tournament at the Uno High School over the weekend.

Already assured of a semis seat, the Hope cagers still went for the kill, scoring at every opportunity while holding their rivals to just 17 points in the first two quarters on the way to sweeping the seven-team tournament.

Hope Christian is seeking to end a 19-year title drought in the event presented by Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance.

St. Jude Catholic School likewise closed its elims campaign on a high note by downing host Grace Christian College, 72-59. 

Four-time champion Xavier School, drawing a 50-point performance from Youth Olympic Games veteran Jeron Teng, crushed GCC, 126-49, last Friday to finish second at 5-1 while multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College drubbed St. Stephen’s High School, 89-50, to end up third.

Xavier, Chiang Kai Shek College and St. Jude enjoy twice-to-beat edges over their quarterfinals rivals in the event backed by Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten.

Winner of 14 titles, No. 3 seed Chiang Kai Shek College (5-2) collides with No. 6 St. Stephen’s (1-5) tomorrow while second seed Xavier takes on No. 7 GCC on Friday. The other quarterfinal series pits No. 4 St. Jude (3-3) against No. 5 Uno (2-4).

In the Aspirants division, nine-time champion Xavier School downed St. Jude Catholic School, 71-37, while unbeaten Chiang Kai Shek College reasserted its dominance over St. Stephen’s High School, 108-53, to arrange a best-of-three title series starting Saturday.

Meantime, Uno High School outlasted defending champion St. Jude, 54-53, to force a knockout match in their semis series in the girls side.

The winner in the rubber match will earn the right to face Chiang Kai Shek College in the finals also to start on Saturday.

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